Desert tortoises dying to breed as climate change threatens extinction

Desert tortoises in California are threatened by long droughts brought on by climate change. — Photos: TNS

‘Single female seeks relationship with male who must enjoy flowers and cuddling up in desert caves’?

Such tortoise hook-ups may soon dry up due to climate change. Wildlife biologists say an alarming number of female desert tortoise carcasses found this year outside the southern edge of Joshua Tree National Park in California may be the result of mothers fighting extinction by exhausting their water and energy to lay eggs, even under stress.